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Focusing On Facial Reconstruction – Microtia Repair

A majority of children experience unilateral microtia (only on one side). But it can also be bilateral (on both sides). Microtia usually involves only the external ear but may render hearing and determining the direction of sounds challenging.

Surgically Improving a Child’s Hearing

Atresia repair or canaloplasty is a surgical option to create an ear canal and eardrum. The child can undergo a middle ear CT scan at age two and a half to establish their candidacy for this procedure.

Since most microtia patients have normal inner ears, around 60 percent of kids with aural atresia can experience dramatic improvements in hearing with a canal and eardrum reconstruction procedure. The child must be three years or older to undergo this surgery.

Treatments

Silicon Ear Prosthetic

The patient can achieve an ear appearance very close to a natural ear with a prosthetic ear. A specialist known as a prosthodontist creates the prosthesis. The ear prostheses can be attached via two methods.

The first method involves using glue to attach the ear prostheses. Titanium implants are used in the second approach. These implants are placed onto the bone surrounding the ear and then snapped into position (known as an osteo-integrated prosthesis).

Benefits

Very natural ear appearance

A simpler procedure with less risk in comparison to reconstruction surgery

Alternative for patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery

Rib Cartilage Reconstruction

For over 50 years, surgeons have used a child’s rib cartilage to fashion an ear structure as a standard procedure. However, this procedure is invasive requiring two to five surgeries. Furthermore, rib cartilage-based ear reconstruction requires the child to have enough cartilage to develop an adult-sized ear, usually between seven and ten years of age.

The surgeon will remove several ribs through an incision on the child’s chest. Then this cartilage is used to develop an ear framework. The surgeon will bury this framework under the scalp.

Afterward, when the ear heals, the patient will need more surgeries to complete the ear reconstruction. These will involve lifting the ear away from the scalp, earlobe repositioning, and other modifications.

Benefits

Utilizes the body’s own tissue

An experienced surgeon can offer the patient sustainable and excellent outcomes

The reconstructed ear is sturdy and can usually withstand vigorous sports activities

MEDPOR Ear Reconstruction

MEDPOR ear reconstruction typically starts at age three. In case only one ear is involved, this technique can be customized to match the natural ear. However, a slightly bigger ear is developed so that it will be adult-sized. The surgeon then uses the patient’s own tissue (flap) to cover the framework. This flap is brought down as a delicate “living membrane” from beneath the scalp.

Most patients require only one surgery for ear reconstruction. The patient can undergo atresia repair before or after MEDPOR. It is also possible to undergo a combined one stage reconstruction of microtia and canal surgery via MEDPOR.

Accomplished facial plastic and reconstructive surgeonDr. Eric Yavrouian receives patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA, and nearby areas in this part of the state for microtia repair.

For more information about treatments and procedures by Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Eric J. Yavrouian, serving patients in and around Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area call 818-241-2150 or click here to contact him for a consultation.